|
Friday, October 03, 2003
Loren leaves Lakas, to run for veep
MANILA -- Senator Loren Legarda officially announced Thursday her breaking away from the ruling party, Lakas Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD), but did not say if she would be joining the opposition.
Malacanang was quick to react to Legarda's announcement, saying it did not come as a surprise.
Later on Thursday night, Legarda announced she would be running for vice president in the May 2004 elections. As to which party she will be running under or who her running mate for president will be, the senator asked for "three weeks" within which to decide.
Legarda said she is breaking away from Lakas because she wants to be politically independent particularly when it to comes to addressing certain issues.
She clarified she would not resign as Senate majority leader, which means she will remain a member of the majority bloc and in coalition with the People Power Coalition (PPC) in the Senate.
"I announce my resignation from the Lakas-CMD as vice president of the party. As a political independent, I am now at peace with myself and my conscience, and free to make a stand on issues unencumbered by narrow, partisan interests," Legarda said.
She first joined the party in 1998 when she ran as senator and eventually became vice president of the Lakas-CMD after the Edsa People Power 2 in 2001.
Still strong
Presidential spokesman Ignacio Bunye, in reaction to Legarda's announcement, said Lakas remains as the strongest political party and the withdrawal of one member is not likely to change that.
He declined to elaborate on the issues involving Legarda's resignation, referring some of the questions to either presidential adviser for political affairs Hernani Braganza or presidential liaison for political affairs Jose Maria Rufino, who were both unavailable for comment.
Rufino was allegedly in a meeting while Braganza, who was allegedly out of town, was seen watching television on the 66th season of the University Athletics Association of the Philippines (UAAP) at the Araneta Coliseum.
"I don't know what the motivation of the senator is. I guess she is in the best position to answer that question... (but) since this is a political matter, we will allow the political advisers to respond to the question but I'm not surprised. I'm just not surprised, period," Bunye said.
As to the possible realignment of the administration forces in the Senate, Bunye said it was an internal matter that Malacaņang thought best not to get involved in.
He added the Lakas party is expected to tackle Legarda's resignation from the party during the October 7 national directorate meeting.
Asked if Legarda's departure and the possible withdrawal of other members as well from the party may compel Arroyo to decide on what she intended to do in 2004, Bunye reiterated that Arroyo would only make an announcement "if she decides to change her mind".
Support
Legarda, meanwhile, said she consulted many of her friends regarding her decision to be politically independent but claimed to have been enlightened after seeking the spiritual guidance of her adviser, Mike Velarde, leader of the El Shaddai.
The senator said Velarde, as well as her friends in the Senate, has fully supported her decision and also vowed to help in her candidacy.
The senator had announced her intention to run for vice president in 2004.
Legarda's resignation was addressed to high-ranking officials of the party, namely, President Arroyo, former President Fidel Ramos, Vice President Teofisto Guingona and Speaker Jose de Venecia.
Arroyo was in Unisan in Quezon when Legarda made the announcement. Arroyo later proceeded to Cabanatuan in Nueva Ecija where she announced that she often visits Nueva Ecija, a known bailiwick of former president Joseph Estrada, because she wants to be the president of unity and reconciliation. JPM/ST |
|
|
|
 |
| click
to comment on this article or discuss it with other readers |
[return to top]
[home]
|
|
4 irrigation execs killed, 10 hurt in mosque blast